The Making of the World Cup Jabulani Ball: The Movie

Jabulani, the official ball of the World Cup, seems to be the focal point of the tournament so far. The $150, eight-paneled
synthetic ball is thermally bonded together, rather than being
stitched, as traditional footballs are. And this is how it is made, in a
factory in China:

Although Jabulani's maker, Adidas, promised more goals than normal, there have been just 20 back-of-the-net opportunities in the first 12 games, compared to 28 in Euro 2008, and 30 in the 2006 World Cup. And a lot of anguished football fans are blaming the ball, because of strikes like this,
and howlers like that.

My writing career has taken me all round the houses over the past decade and a half--from grumpy teens and hungover rock bands in the UK, where I was born, via celebrity interviews, health, tech and f…